DAU TIENG - Major General Ellis W. Williamson, 25th Infantry
Division commanding general, has presented the Bronze Star for Valor to a
Vietnamese soldier for his role in defense of a beleaguered outpost.
The award was presented to Platoon Sergeant Hen Ho Van of the 47th
Popular Forces Platoon, in a ceremony at Tri Tam district headquarters in Dau
Tieng village.
The presentation was witnessed by civic and governmental officials
of the Dau Tieng area, by officers of the Tropic Lightning division's 3d
Brigade, and by school children.
The Bronze Star citation praised Van for his role in leading
Popular Forces troopers as they warded off an enemy attack against Outpost 68, a
mile south of Dau Tieng.
On October 20, an enemy force attacked the outpost shortly before
midnight, using 61mm and 82mm mortars, RPG rocket grenades, machine guns and
rifle fire. The PFs repulsed the one-hour attack which found the enemy at
the edge of the outpost, killing six.
During the attack, Van was directing small arms and mortar fire in
defense of the 10-man position, and personally detonating claymore mines while
firing M-79 grenades and a machine gun. Meanwhile, he assisted in
distributing ammunition and caring for two men who were wounded.
At the ceremony, Major General Williamson took the occasion to tell
the visiting civilians of the goals of U.S. forces in aiding the Vietnamese.
"Almost 200 years ago my own nation was in trouble," he told
the villagers. "Then other nations came to the help of the United
States."
He compared this to American participation in Vietnam.
"When we go home to our families and loved ones, we seek to take
nothing except your friendship and good wishes," he added.
The general's remarks were interpreted for the civilians and
members of Van's platoon by Major Nguyen Ngoc Chau, Tri Tam district chief.
Command Sergeant Major Frank J. Bennett, 25th Infantry Division
sergeant major, and Command Sergeant Major Howard A. Brosseau, 3d Brigade
sergeant major, congratulated Van on behalf of the Tropic Lightning's
noncommissioned officers and enlisted men.

Quick Huey Crew Doubles Up, Rescues Stranded Jet Pilots

By SP4 Jim BrayerCU CHI - The crew of a UH1D Huey helicopter rescued two grounded
Air Force aviators only 15 minutes after their RB57 photo reconnaissance plane
crashed 15 miles east of Dau Tieng.
It took about 25 minutes from the time their distress signal was
received until they reached Cu Chi's 12th Evacuation Hospital.
First Lieutenant John H. Webb, commander of the rescue chopper,
and. Warrant Officer Jeffrey M. O'Hara, pilot, are assigned to Company A
Little Bears, 25th Aviation Battalion.
Air Force Major James W. Johnston, pilot of the unarmed recon
aircraft later said that one of its two engines developed trouble, and the plane
went out of control. "It went into a starboard roll and was inverted
when we ejected from the craft," he said.
He and his navigator, Major Philip N. Walker, managed to radio a
distress signal before bailing out at 5,000 feet. They had been on a photo
mission for Detachment 1 of the 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing.
Johnston stated that they parachuted to the ground uninjured about
2,000 meters from the wreckage of their aircraft.
When they touched ground, both heard small arms and automatic
weapons fire from what seemed to be two enemy troops. Johnston, some 200
or 300 meters from Walker, landed in waist-deep water in a rice paddy. He
sloshed his way through about six more paddies, trying to get away from the
bright red and white chute.
Noticing an O-1 Bird Dog light scout plane circling the area,
Johnston tried to raise radio contact, but his portable radio refused to
function. Finally he was able to signal the scout plane with a mirror, a
part of his survival kit.
Walker had landed in the river, but when he heard the gunfire, he
untangled himself from the parachute straps and slid to the edge of a thicket.
(Continued on Back Page)

CU CHI - A sweep operation near Duc Hoa netted Company C, 2d
Battalion, 14th Infantry Golden Dragons an enormous body count - nearly one
ton's worth.
While part of the company cordoned and searched a small village
hidden in a wooded area, a security element set up in surrounding rice paddies
to guard the flanks.
Suddenly a huge form burst from the wood line and charged the
flankers. A crazed water buffalo, apparently spooked by the searchers,
bore down on Private First Class Ken Tadlock, a squad leader with Charlie
Company.
"He put his head down and ran right down the dike at me,"
stated Tadlock of Auburn, Calif. Because of the danger of hitting one of
his buddies in the village, Tadlock hesitated to fire at the rapidly approaching
beast. "I couldn't shoot at him until he was about 10 feet away, and
then he reared up and I shot him eight times in the belly," he said.
As he fired at the huge animal, Tadlock fell backward off the dike
to try and avoid being crushed by its lunge.
"We thought for sure the buffalo had him," stated Specialist 4
Dave Shelton of Orangevale, Calif., a startled observer of the incident. "I saw Ken and the bull go down at the same time, and it looked like the bull
landed on top of him," Shelton continued.
Fortunately Tadluck's shots were effective and his leap
sufficient. He emerged from the rice paddy only two feet from where the
dead animal lay.

Wolfhounds Pepper VC

CU CHI - It hadn't been a half an hour since the men of Company
C, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, had moved their position to a ridge overlooking
a laterite pit when they spotted an estimated 40 enemy soldiers moving on a
course paralleling theirs.
Opening up with all organic weapons, the Wolfhounds repelled the
constant probing of the enemy soldiers.
A search of the area the following day revealed blood trails.
Captured was one complete 60mm mortar, one 82mm mortar bipod, assorted web gear
and documents.

President Lyndon B. Johnson has signed into law the Military
Justice Act of 1968, which is designed to insure that military personnel are
afforded the same protection as civilian persons who are accused of federal
offenses.
Also, the new law is intended to bring the procedures for trials by
special and general courtsmartial more closely parallel to current procedures in
U.S. district courts.
The legislation, which had the concurrence of the Office of the
Secretary of Defense, makes far-reaching changes in military law and trial
procedures.
Part of the law went into effect when the President signed the act
in late October. The remaining provisions, which will have a great
influence on commanders and all other military personnel, will become effective
on Aug. 1, 1969.
The portions of the law now in effect pertain to appellate review
of court-martial cases. Two major changes are included:
• The time in which the accused can petition for a new
trial is extended from one year to two years, including summary and special
court-martial cases.
• The Judge Advocate General is given new powers to modify,
or set aside, illegal convictions by summary or special courts martial.
Before the remaining provisions of the law can be implemented, the
President must issue an executive order changing the Manual for Courts Martial.
A revised Manual for Courts Martial, reflecting changes in military
law over the past 17 years, will be used by the Armed Forces beginning Jan. 1,
1969. This manual will be revised further by the President's executive
order, which will be drafted with the assistance of the military services.
Among the major changes in the Manual for Courts Martial required,
or permitted, by the law are the following:
The accused will be afforded the opportunity to be defended by a
legally qualified counsel at special courts martial unless the commander
certifies that such counsel cannot be obtained.
• Trial in special and general courts martial may be held
by a military judge alone if the accused so requests and the request is approved
by the military judge.
• Pretrial and post-trial sessions of courts martial may be
held by the military judge without the presence of the court members for the
purpose of deciding procedural questions.
• Convening authorities are giving discretionary authority
to defer the service of sentences to confinement pending appellate review. (This
parallels the civilian practice of an individual being freed on bail pending
appeal of a sentence.)
• An accused may object to trial by summary court martial even if
he has refused punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice. (ANF)

New Regs Permit R&R In Okinawa

Beginning in October, anyone with a family residing in Okinawa is
eligible to take his or her out of country R&R in Okinawa. This
R&R counts just as if taken under the MACV program.
Two seats per week will be made available, and persons interested
should submit a letter application through command channels to MACV.
The unit R&R coordinator will verify eligibility dates and
presence of family in Okinawa. All the flights will originate from Da Nang.
Personnel will be required to report to the R&R processing center at Da Nang
not later than 1030 hours on the flight date.
Units should release their personnel three days in advance in order
to meet this reporting time.
For details, consult USARV regulation 28-5, and 25th Division
regulation 28-10.

Tropic
LightningCombat Honor Roll Added to the Tropic Lightning Combat Honor
Roll this week is Specialist 4 James E. Beverett of Company C, 3d Battalion, 22d
Infantry who well displayed the spirit of the American fighting man.
Beverett distinguished himself by heroic actions on 17 September
1968 while serving as a machine gunner with Company C, 3d Battalion, 22d
Infantry in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a road clearing operation,
Company C came under an intense hostile attack, sustaining several casualties.
Fearlessly, Beverett exposed himself to a heavy volume of fire as
he moved forward, placing effective suppressive fire on the insurgents, allowing
his comrades to evacuate the wounded to safety.
As he was withdrawing from the area of contact, he noticed a
severely wounded soldier who had not been extracted with other friendly
casualties. With complete disregard for his own safety, Beverett exposed himself to the withering enemy
fire as he attempted to carry his fallen comrade to safety.
Realizing that he could not reach safety unless he received
supporting fire, he readjusted the wounded soldier on his back, picked up his
M-60 machine gun and began placing highly effective suppressive fire on the
enemy as he evacuated the wounded soldier to safety.
His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the success of the
mission. Beverett's personal bravery, aggressiveness and devotion to
duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon
himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division and the United States Army.

The TROPIC LIGHTNING NEWS is an authorized publication of the 25th
Infantry Division. It is published weekly for all division units in the Republic of
Vietnam by the Information Office, 25th Infantry Division, APO San Francisco
96225. Army News Features, Army Photo Features, Armed Forces Press Service and Armed
Forces News Bureau material are used. Views and opinions expressed are not necessarily
those of the Department of the Army. Printed in Tokyo, Japan, by Pacific Stars and
Stripes.

WAITING - A Tropic Lightning platoon RTO and Command group
of Company D, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry, stop briefly in a concealed position
while artillery and air strikes pound the enemy during fighting north of Cu Chi.
(PHOTO BY SP4 CHARLES HAUGHEY)

Mess Job All Work

CU CHI - Cooking for 25th Infantry Division troops isn't quite
the "gravy" job it's made out to be.
It is often said being a cook must be great duty - especially in
Vietnam. Cooks stay inside the perimeter all day and always seem to have
ice for a cold soda. But, cooks for the 4th Battalion (Mechanized), 23rd
Infantry, seem to take a different attitude toward their job.
They have to roll out of the sack at least two hours before most of
their comrades to prepare breakfast for their regular Tomahawk "customers."
Before the stoves are even cool or the breakfast pots and pans are
washed, Staff Sergeant Roger Schmidt of Santa Anna, Calif., is already thinking
of the evening meal. How to prepare 150 pounds of potatoes, 40 pounds of
carrots, a few hundred rolls, and 200 pounds of meat are some of the daily
challenges he must ponder.
Schmidt and his cooks have problems in the kitchen their home
teachers probably never thought about.
For instance, in Schmidt's kitchen he has one homemade grill and
four stoves to work with. He says four stoves aren't enough, while
they're being used to cook meat, vegetables and gravy are waiting to be
heated.
Flies and ants don't limit their activities to harassing the men
in the field. Cooks are also bothered by the little demons, having to keep
them out of the food even though the tiny creatures don't eat much.
There always seems to be a little dog from one of the platoons
looking for a handout. And what about the "gentle" northwest breeze?
Or should one call it a wind? At any rate, rain and dust float along with
the air current to further harass the cooks.
After braving the problems of each meal in the kitchen, cooks shout
"come and get it," and stand back, making way for the onrush of hungry
Tropic Lightning soldiers.

Air Slot Switch

A change In AFVN programming has switched the radio presentation
"Lightning 25" from Saturday at 1:30 p.m. to Sunday at 12:45 p.m.
Program length remains 15 minutes.
The Tropic Lightning radio show, hosted by Specialist 4 Joe Moore,
features men and units of the division.

Golden Dragon Hunt Pays Off

CU CHI - Acting on information given by a Hoi
Chanh, Golden Dragon
soldiers from the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, uncovered a sizable cache of
enemy weapons less than 150 meters from the battalion's night location.
The 2d Brigade soldiers found more than 270 RPG rounds, 35 rocket
and mortar rounds and other enemy munitions.
According to First Lieutenant Jim Collison, battalion intelligence
officer, the Tropic Lightning troopers began digging in the area where the Hoi
Chanh said 12 RPG-2 rounds were buried. "We began digging and found not
12 but 44 RPG-7 rounds," said Collinson.
"We dug around a little more and found 44 more RPG-7s and 96
RPG-2s. We extended over to another area and found another 88 RPG-7
rounds," the Annapolis, Md., officer continued.
After the initial cache was uncovered, Specialist 4 James F.
Carter, a squad leader from Baltimore, Md., using a metal probing rod,
discovered what proved to be a cache of six 107mm rockets and 29 120mm mortars.
Two boxes of Chinese Communist TNT and approximately 900 meters of
electrical wire were also uncovered.
The enemy weapons were buried in a cemetery less than150 meters
from the First Brigade unit's night location.
After the cache was uncovered, General Ralph E. Haines, Jr.,
commander-in-chief, U.S. Army, Pacific; Major General Ellis W. Williamson, 25th
Division commanding general; and Brigade Commander Colonel Eugene Lynch visited
the site. Lieutenant Colonel William J. Cummings, commander of the Golden
Dragon battalion met them.
The cache was found on Cummings' first day in the field, after
taking command of the battalion the day before.

BURIED MUNITIONS - Second Brigade soldiers from the 2d
Battalion, 14th Infantry, dig in a deserted cemetery where they uncovered more
than 300 RPG, mortar and rocket rounds.

DAU TIENG - Capping four months of duty in defense of Tan Son Nhut
airbase, men of the 3d Brigade boarded C-130 Hercules transports and returned to
their home base at Dau Tieng.
During these four months, the Tropic Lightning soldiers continued
to weaken the enemy's fighting potential, destroying numerous bunkers,
capturing almost two score of the hard core Viet Cong infrastructure, and
turning up some impressive weapons finds.
In a farewell ceremony upon departure from Tan Son Nhut, Colonel
Lewis J. Ashley, commander of the brigade, drew praise from Brigadier General
Emil P. Eschenburg, Deputy Commanding General of the Capital Military Assistance
Command.
"During your brigade's service in defense of Saigon and Tan Son
Nhut, the enemy failed to fire a single rocket or mortar into the city or
airbase from your area of operations," the general noted. The area was
formerly notorious as the enemy rocket belt.
After arriving in the Tan Son Nhut area late in May, the brigade
made many innovations and developed new techniques as the infantrymen operated
against the VC in a different environment and faced the threat of urban fighting
in defense of Saigon.
The brigade's mechanized force, the 2d Battalion (Mech), 22d
Infantry, found itself going airmobile, leaving its tracks behind in a sweep
through the rice paddies.
Night time raids under the code name Snatch seized enemy suspects
lurking in sleeping villages.
Contacts during the period left more than 300 enemy dead, while 907
persons were detained. Thirty-seven hard core members of the enemy shadow
government were captured.

COLONEL LEWIS J. ASHLEY (right) is welcomed back to Dau
Tieng base camp by Lieutenant Colonel Dan J. Mizell, deputy brigade commander.
Colonel Ashley, commander of the 3d Brigade, returned the brigade to the camp 45
miles northwest of Saigon on completion of a four-month mission in defense of
Tan Son Nhut Air Base. (PHOTO BY SP5 BILL SLUIS)

Army Boasts 'Air Armada'

The Army's aviation force is now second largest in the Armed
Services. A summary of major forces in a report on the 1969 DOD
Appropriation bill show the Active Army aircraft inventory is projected to
contain approximately 11,500 aircraft on June 30, 1969, compared with
approximately 10,500 in June 1968.
The bill provides for 1,304 aircraft, including large quantities of
utility, observation and armed helicopters, plus the first production quantities
of the sophisticated AH-56A CHEYENNE armed helicopter to be used for direct
support of ground forces.

Page
4-5
TROPIC LIGHTNING
NEWS
November 18, 1968

Memories Remain As Monsoon Season Ends

IT'S WET GOING
- Wolfhounds from Company B, 2d Battalion,
27th Infantry, cross a canal while on a reconnaissance-in-force mission.
(PHOTO BY SP4 ROBERT O'HARE)

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT - Private First Class Alvin P.
Harrison of Springville, Ala., a new rifleman with Company D, 2d Battalion, 27th
Infantry Wolfhounds, found out what the infantry is all about . . . long
hours-wet and lonely. (PHOTO BY SP4 BILL CLEVENGER)

RUSTY FIND - A rusted rifle is pulled from a small water
hole near Duc Hoa by Huymh Van Kom, a Kit Carson Scout with the 2d Battalion,
14th Infantry. The discovery was made during a sweep of the area by the
Golden Dragons. (PHOTO BY PFC E. R. JAMES)

HOW WET IT WAS - A scenic view is caught by the camera, but
the men of the 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Wolfhounds can only tell you how wet
it was. (PHOTO BY SP4 BILL CLEVENGER)

DON'T LET THE RAIN COME DOWN - Staff Sergeant Kerry
Mathews of Vero Beach, Fla., directs traffic on rain-flooded Highway One, north
of Trang Bang. The 65th Engineer Battalion sergeant's efforts were too
late for the Esso truck that hit a submerged culvert and over turned.
(PHOTO BY SP4 DAVID C. MERCER)

PORT ARMS - Waist deep in a canal eight miles northwest of
Saigon, an infantryman of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Wolfhounds pushes his
way through the murky depths. The Wolfhounds were sweeping an area near
the strategic Hoc Man bridge. (PHOTO BY SP4 HECTOR NADAL)

Page
6
TROPIC LIGHTNING
NEWS
November 18, 1968

To Charlie - With Love

BLUES FOR CHARLIE - Mortarmen of the heavy mortar platoon,
2d Battalion (Mechanized), 22nd Infantry, hangs a 4.2 mortar round in
preparation to fire (left). At the right, the round blasts out of the tube
on its way to the enemy. Usually in a fire-support role, the mortar unit
has, on occasion, fought on line with the infantry. (PHOTO BY SGT ROBERT
ROSSOW)

CU CHI - The mechanized 4.2-inch heavy-mortar platoon and the three
81mm-mortar platoons of the 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 22d Infantry, give the
unit's mailed fist a powerful punch.
The tubes of these four platoons have thundered from the Cambodian
border of War Zone C to the outskirts of Saigon pouring thousands of rounds on
the enemy.
The Triple Deuce's mortars have participated in every one of the
battalion's engagements, and have often provided the knockout punch.
With the motto "Anytime, Anywhere", they have frequently served the needs of
sister units in the 25th Infantry Division, as well as other Allied forces.
Not content solely with the role of combat support the mortarmen
have fought on the line with their sister infantry platoons when needed.
The keystone of the battalion's integral indirect fire support is
the heavy-mortar platoon, which consists of the fire direction center (FDC) and
four 4.2-inch mortar squads, each mounted in specially adapted armored personnel
carriers.
From the FDC, Sergeant First Class George O'Brian of Columbus, Ga.,
directs the operation of the platoon. In addition to the platoon leader,
the FDC is staffed by a platoon sergeant, a Chief Computer and two computers.
At the FDC raw information is converted into firing data and fed to the squads.
Each of the four mortar squads is organized with a squad leader,
gunner, assistant gunner, and two ammunition bearers, one of whom doubles as the
APC driver.
The three Deuce line companies each have indirect fire support in
81mm mortar platoons, organized along lines similar to the heavy mortar platoon.
When the mortars roll into a position, they first lay in the guns.
Azimuths are plotted with the aiming circle. After the tube is laid, the
gunner directs the other members of the squad as they set out aiming stakes, and
the gun is ready for action.
Upon receipt of a fire mission, the FDC alerts the squads and
passes down the computed firing data to the gunners. They place it on the
weapons, while the ammunition bearers set the firing charges and fuzes on the
ammunition, and pass ammo up to the assistant gunner.

Perimeter Defense - Then, Now

TAY NINH - Their throats were parched from the hot sun beating
down, and their eyes burned from the constant exposure to the whirling dust.
Slowly and methodically they moved into the large wagon-wheel circle, considered
their best method of defense. Quickly the men start to build cover for
protection in the event of attack.
A wagon train or a mechanized infantry unit? It could be
either for the defensive tactic has not changed through the years.
Instead of building cover out of boxes and crates as the
Indian-fighters of the Old West did, the Vietnam fighters build well-fortified bunkers with
timber, sandbags, ammunition boxes and more efficient equipment.
These men have learned, as did their forefathers, that their
defensive positions are held in a balance with their lives. Like the Indians of
the Old West, the Viet Cong and NVA forces use the darkness to find their
enemy's weaknesses and then strike where he is most vulnerable.
Fire Support Base Rawlins, located two-and-one-half miles east of
Tay Ninh city, was chosen as the temporary home of the 4th Battalion
(Mechanized), 23rd Infantry Tomahawks. Its defenses were established
similar to the American pioneers' wagon-wheel formation.
Twice in the past two months estimated regimental-sized enemy units
have found Rawlins impregnable. Realizing that the next attack of the base
could be by a much larger force, the Tomahawks have been constantly rebuilding
and improving their perimeter defenses.
"Since starting the perimeter at Rawlins, we have used 14,000
sandbags and 4,000 artillery ammunition boxes for the bunkers," said First
Lieutenant David Blanchard of Trenton, N.J.
"Building the bunkers in the hot sun is hard work," stated
Specialist 4 Henry Botelho of San Francisco, Calif., a member of Company A,
"but, when we're all crouched inside listening to incoming rounds, we
don't mind all the work spent."
The bunkers the Tomahawks build are only a small part of the
perimeter defenses. Using 700 rolls of wire, the troops have built two
separate fences of concertina wire, each held in place by eight-foot engineering
stakes, which make it extremely difficult to move the wire or climb over it.

National Colors Suit Kids To A T-Shirt

DAU TIENG - Thanks to a new program sponsored by the 3d Brigade
youngsters in Dau Tieng, 45 miles northwest of Saigon, are "showing the
flag".
The 3d Brigade civic action section, along with its psychological
operations (PSYOPs) team, is outfitting the village kids in T-shirts of red and
gold - patterned after the Vietnamese flag.
The PSYOPs team from the 6th PSYOPs Battalion enters the village
every day, playing music and broadcasting messages encouraging the support of
the people for the Vietnamese government. With them the PSYOPs team brings
the flamboyant T-shirts as well as baseball caps, also done in the red, and gold
theme.
On the shirt is inscribed the slogan, "The government of the
Republic of Vietnam helps us all," in Vietnamese.
Colonel Lewis J. Ashley of Alexandria, Va., Commander of the 3d
Brigade is a strong believer in the civic action program. "This facet of
our civic actions program has attracted considerable interest among the
Vietnamese," said Ashley. "It serves to remind the people of their
government's continuing concern for them."
The colonel added, "With this effort, the number of South
Vietnamese flag bearers is increasing."
First Lieutenant Raymond J. Calore of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., who heads
the PSYOPs team, is enthusiastic about the impact of the program on the
youngsters, and, importantly, on their parents.

THE WEATHER'S FINE - Pausing a moment in the safety of a
bunker, Private First Class James Strickland of the Manchus, catches up on some
4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, letter writing. (Photo by PPC H. J.
Tschrinerl)

Page
7
TROPIC LIGHTNING
NEWS
November 18, 1968

The Cu Chi Resort Opens

Story, Photos By SP4 Richard Patterson

CU CHI - One of the most exclusive hotels in the III Corps area was
opened at Cu Chi recently by the Division's Support Command (DISCOM).
The main criterion for staying at the 'Cu Chi Hilton' is being a
battle-weary trooper and member of a unit that has not been in base camp for
several months.
The Hilton, scenically located at the edge of a small rubber
plantation, is an idyllic location for a stand-down area. It is within
easy walking distance of the Cu Chi main post exchange, a large swimming pool
and, the Ilikai East Service Club. The spacious living area accommodates
company-sized units for the stand-down.
As soon as a unit arrives the men are blitzed with all the
facilities and services lacking in the field.
The combat veterans line up at a supply building where they shed
their worn fatigues and old boots for a new issue.
In the same building a 'contact team' goes over the finance and
personnel files of the men. Pay problems can be straightened out on the
spot; dog tags can be stamped; and money orders may be purchased. A
barber, dentist and armorer are also available.
The first evening at the Cu Chi Hilton is devoted to recreation.
A steak barbecue starts about 6 p.m.
The evening's entertainment is provided by a band, and whenever
possible a visiting USO show is presented on the Hilton's portable stage.
The stand-down site was little more than a dilapidated company area
until DISCOM began cleaning it up and making major renovations.
Major Raymond Long, Jr., officer in charge of the Cu Chi Hilton,
explained that the majority of the work involved making the place livable again.
This included cutting the knee-high grass, installing sinks and shower
facilities and reopening the mess hall.
Three days after the project began the first unit arrived, and
since that day the "resort" has been in constant use.
According to Long, "Two or three units arrive each week and stand
down for 48 hours. We expect to stand down all maneuver companies
approximately every 45 days," he continued.
The primary mission is to improve combat effectiveness, and the
results have been overwhelming.
"It is also a tremendous moral booster," stated Long.
The entire project has been such a success that a second stand-down
area, the 'Holiday Inn,' is rapidly being constructed at the Tay Ninh base
camp.

NEW BOOTS - Two soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry
walk barefoot along a walkway after receiving new jungle boots at the supply
room.

PEACE AND QUIET - A relaxing game of dominoes is played by
Infantrymen of B Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry. The men had been in
the field three months and returned to Cu Chi Base camp for a two-day rest.

ENTERTAINMENT
- A Vietnamese band and singing group perform
on the portable stage for relaxing Manchus at the Cu Chi Hilton.

REAL STEAK - One barbecue steak coming up to an infantryman
at the Cu Chi Hilton's first-night cookout.

LIVE MUSIC - The 25th Division band plays 'A Taste Of
Honey' on the portable stage provided by special services. The stage is
specially designed to provide acoustics comparable to an amphitheater.

Page
8
TROPIC LIGHTNING
NEWS
November 18, 1968

25th S&T MEDCAP Program Going Strong

CU CHI - When the TET Counteroffensive ended in April, the 25th
Supply and Transportation Battalion doubled their efforts to conduct complete,
effective MEDCAPs that were not one-time, piece-meal affairs.
Working with a medical team from the 25th Medical Battalion at Cu
Chi, 25th S&T has treated more than 6,800 patients in the past five months.
Careful records are kept on each patient and a medical
history is compiled on Vietnamese nationals who come to the MEDCAP station in
their village. With these records available to the team, they can provide
specialized treatment.
According to First Lieutenant Thomas vonBoetticher, civic actions
officer for S&T, this personalized service fosters a greater trust in the
MEDCAP and better relations between Vietnamese and American soldiers.
During August dental care was added to the MEDCAP. The dental
team, also from the 25th Medical Battalion, is capable of pulling teeth,
diagnosing gum diseases and treating them.
Through the efforts of the Division Support Command 25th S&T is
often able to provide the MEDCAP with something extra. In recent weeks
more than 16,000 pounds of surplus food has been distributed.
Lieutenant vonBoetticher, of Port Washington, N.Y., described a
recent MEDCAP that "had something else to offer."
"One of the men participating in the MEDCAP wrote home and
explained the entire operation to his family. His sister started a drive
with the Lutheran church of Wayne, Mich., to collect children's clothes and
toys," vonBoetticher said.
"We received about 14 boxes of toys, and miscellaneous clothing.
As a matter of fact we also received three snowsuits,". he chuckled.
The gifts were distributed at the next MEDCAP and the results were
as predicted. Whenever kids and toys are brought together there are always
smiles and happiness.

WAITING FOR MOTHER - A little boy scrutinizes a toy tank
while he and his sister wait for their mother to come out of the MEDCAP station.
(PHOTOS BY SP4 RICHARD PATTERSON)

DIVARTY Joins In Annual Festival

CU CHI - Hundreds of youngsters beamed approval of Division
Artillery's participation in the Vietnamese Middle Autumn Festival
Children's Day (Tet Nhi-Dong) at the Trung Lap compound.
The festival, celebrated annually in Vietnam, uses the backdrop of
Chinese lanterns and is held in the eighth month of the lunar year.
More than 500 children from the village of Trung Lap and the
surrounding area spent the day singing and playing prior to the formal
ceremonies hosted by the 41st ARVN Ranger Center commander, Major Truong Van
Oanh.
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Donovan of Tewksbury, Mass., commander of
the 3rd Battalion, 13th Artillery, (The Clan), represented DIVARTY commander,
Colonel Lucius G. Hill, Jr., and 25th Division commander, Major General Ellis W.
Williamson, at the festivities.
Other Tropic Lightning guests included the men of Battery A, 3d
Battalion, 13th Artillery, and their commander, Captain Clifford A. Crittsinger
of Buffalo, N.Y. Battery A has sponsored numerous civic-action projects in
the Trung Lap area.
Following introductory remarks by the assistant ranger commander,
Captain Nuguyen Koy, the entire group enjoyed an open-air meal prepared by the
mess section of the ARVN Rangers. Candies and other presents provided by
DIVARTY units were given to every youngster.

Brigadier General Long Cited For Skillful Role

CU CHI - Brigadier General Glen C. Long, assistant 25th Division
commander, was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm by Major
General Du Quoc Dong, commander of the Vietnamese 1st Airborne Division.
General Long was cited for his skillful and professional role in
coordinating American and Vietnamese forces in battles between September 11 and
22 in Tay Ninh City.
During the fighting against the 5th and 9th Viet Cong Divisions,
General Long disregarding heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire, used his helicopter to
command and maneuver American units.
By making several low passes over the heavy fighting, General Long
established positions preventing the enemy's escape, and units of the Army of
the Republic of Vietnam were able to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy.

CITED BY
VIETNAMESE - Major General Du Quoc Dong presents the
Cross of Gallantry with Palm to Brigadier General Glen C. Long, assistant 25th
Division commander.

Huey Crew
(Continued From Page 1)
Meanwhile, Webb and his crew were flying a routine general support
mission from Tay
Ninh to southeast of Dau Tieng. They had five passengers with them. "Our ship was almost at
gross weight," Webb explained.
Suddenly, at 11:30 a.m., they received a distress signal from an
aircraft in trouble.
Within ten minutes after the call, Webb and his Huey were in the
rescue area. He saw the Bird Dog circling around overhead, and took his
chopper in low. The commander spotted the brightly colored parachute on
the rice paddy where Johnston landed and saw a nearby smoke signal.
Knowing that his Huey wouldn't hover over the water with the size
load he had aboard, Webb took his five passengers to a nearby dry clearing,
where they disembarked and set up a perimeter.
When they went in to rescue the Air Force pilot, he said he
wasn't hurt and that Walker was nearby, toward the thick tree line.
Johnston piled in with his equipment, and they proceeded to pick up
Walker. Later, Johnston described the rescue as working like
"clockwork."
After the five other passengers were again aboard, Webb guided his
craft to the scene of the crash, planning to set up a perimeter around the
wreckage.
"All we saw was a hole that resembled a B-52 bomb crater.
The plane was demolished and litter was strewn all around the area."
Feeling it safe to leave the wreckage, Webb and his crew returned
to Cu Chi with their Air Force comrades.